NHS Borders Chief Executive Jane Davidson has broken her silence to deny reports that plans for a new health centre in Galashiels have been scrapped. 

On Wednesday, the Border Telegraph reported that health chiefs were staying tight-lipped on proposals to build a new fit for purpose health centre on the site of the former ambulance station in Roxburgh Street after Galashiels Community Council were told they had been dropped after funding was withdrawn.

The health board had previously announced a new health centre, to replace the existing Roxburgh Street surgery, was expected to be ready by spring 2016. It had also been planned to station an ambulance crew in the new building.

Since the ambulance station moved to Melrose at the turn of the year, NHS Borders refused to answer repeated requests from the Border Telegraph for information about the development.

And no work had started on the site.

However, our report on the concerns raised at Galashiels Community Council finally prompted the health board into a response this afternoon (Thursday).

Chief Executive Jane Davidson insists the plans have not been scrapped, although the timeframe has change, and construction is due to begin in May 2016.

The statement read: "In response to an article published on the Border Telegraph’s website on Wednesday 16 September stating that the plans for the replacement Roxburgh Street Surgery in Galashiels have been scrapped, Jane Davidson, Chief Executive of NHS Borders has stated that this is simply not the case.

“The replacement of Roxburgh Street surgery is linked to the SAS ambulance station which moved from the Roxburgh Street site in 2014 to a new site built at the Borders General Hospital.

"There is a great deal of anticipation surrounding this project as it will impact over 3300 patients in the Galashiels area. Basing timescales on the current planning assumptions, construction is planned to begin in May 2016.

“Discussions are ongoing with Scottish Goverement Public Sector procurement partners and a full update will be provided at NHS Borders Public Board on Thursday 1 October at 10am, to which all are welcome.”